Recording and/or reproducing apparatus including mechanism for utilization of a disc-shaped record bearing medium with disc clamping structure having means, for holding the disc which is movable between various positions

ABSTRACT

An apparatus arranged to use a flexible magnetic disc housed in a cassette and having a center core provided with an engaging hole, including a disc rotating spindle having a flange and engageable with the hole at the center core of the disc, a cassette holder movable between a first position for receiving the cassette and a second position for positioning the received cassette at a predetermined position relative to the spindle, a pressing member for pressing the engaging portion of the disc against the flange of the spindle, and a control mechanism for operating the pressing member and thereafter disabling the pressing member during the movement of the cassette holder from its first to its second position.

This is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 07/296,295, filedJan. 10, 1989, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation of U.S.Ser. No. 07/220,911, filed Jul. 18, 1988, abaondoned, which in turn is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/106,979, filed Oct. 2, 1987, abandoned,which in turn is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 06/884,878, filed Jul.7, 1986, abandoned, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.06/591,383, filed Mar. 20, 1984, abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an apparatus using a disc-shaped recordbearing medium, such as disc player.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a rotation type recordbearing medium of disc shape, for example, a rotation type flexiblemagnetic disc, rotation of the magnetic disc is performed after anengaging hole of the center core in the central portion of the magneticdisc has been engaged with a spindle which is driven to rotate, by anelectric motor. This type of apparatus displays a problem in that whenthe engagement of the center core with the spindle is loose, it becomesimpossible to ensure that the magnetic disc undergoes normal rotativemotion during recording or reproduction, and conversely when theaforesaid engagement is tightened, the magnetic disc becomes difficultto load on the spindle.

Therefore, as will be more fully described later with reference to FIG.2, a method has been proposed wherein a magnetizable member is appliedto the center core, while a magnet piece is mounted on the flangedportion of the spindle. However, even with such a magnetic couplingmethod, it is difficult to assure that when the center core is put onthe spindle, it occupies a certain position relative to a referencesurface, for example, the flange surface of the spindle. Therefore, itis difficult to hold the magnetic disc in a predetermined settingsurface for maintenance of a predetermined aligning state between it anda recording and/or reproducing head. Also in a still picture recordingand/or reproducing apparatus having a rigorous requirement for accuracyof alignment, the force necessary to load the center core on the spindlemay amount to hundreds of grams. As the magnet piece is of large size,therefore, the size and weight of the apparatus is hindered from beingreduced.

On the other hand, there has been proposed an apparatus provided with amechanism for pressing a portion of the magnetic disc against thespindle as in a floppy disc device. Since, in this type of apparatus,that portion of the apparatus which drives rotation of the disc operatesunder the condition that the aforesaid mechanism applies a pressure onthe spindle through the disc, its load becomes large, causing the speedof rotation to vary randomly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a main object of the present invention to eliminatethe above-described drawbacks of the conventional apparatus and toprovide an apparatus using a disc-shaped record bearing medium whichapparatus is capable of assuring that when loading the disc-shapedrecord bearing medium, the record bearing medium is set on a rotativedrive member accurately and reliably.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus usinga disc-shaped record bearing medium which apparatus operates withouthaving to apply a large load on the aforesaid rotative drive memberwhile still permitting the aforesaid object to be accomplished, therebyproviding an advantage in that the bulk and size of the rotative drivemember can be reduced.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatususing a disc-shaped record bearing medium in which when the recordbearing medium is loaded on a rotative drive member by operating apressing member for pressing a portion of the record bearing mediumagainst a receiving surface of the aforesaid rotative drive member, areliable and smooth loading operation can be realized by a pressingforce which is always almost constant despite the existence ofconfiguration errors and fitting position errors of the pressing member,or of members constituting an operating mechanism for the pressingmember.

Under the first one of the above-mentioned objects, according topreferred embodiments embodying the aspect of the present invention, anapparatus arranged to use a disc-shaped record bearing medium having anengaging portion, comprises rotating means engageable with the medium atits engaging portion and having a surface for receiving the engagingportion of the medium; holder means movable between a first position forreceiving the medium and a second position for positioning the receivedmedium at a predetermined position relative to the rotating means;pressing means for pressing the engaging portion of the medium againstthe receiving surface of the rotating means; and control means foroperating the pressing means when the holder means is moved from itsfirst to its second position.

Especially, under the second one of the abovementioned objects,according to preferred embodiments embodying the aspect of the presentinvention, the control means is arranged to operate the pressing meansand thereafter disable the pressing means during the movement of theholder means from its first to its second position.

Under the third one of the above-mentioned objects, according to first,second and third embodiments embodying the aspect of the presentinvention, the control means is arranged to disable the pressing meanswhen the holder means reaches a predetermined position nearly before itssecond position. In these embodiments, the pressing means preferably hasan elasticity in at least a part thereof. On the other hand, accordingto fourth and fifth embodiments embodying the aspect of the presentinvention, the control means is arranged to disable the pressing meanswhen the resistant force exerted on the pressing means reaches apredetermined value.

In this invention, the term "record bearing medium" refers to arotatable record bearing medium of disc-shape of the magnetic, optical,or electrostatic capacity type recording and/or reproducing system, andthe term "rotating means" for the record bearing medium refers to arotative drive member such as a spindle connected to, or driven by, adrive source such as an electric motor.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of the explanation by reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, this invention will be described in connection withpreferred embodiments thereof by reference to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior known magnetic disc cassette.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the main parts of a conventionalapparatus.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a manner in which the apparatus of FIG. 3operates between a position where the cassette holder is pushed downwardand another position where it is lifted upward.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views of the main parts of second and thirdembodiments of the invention respectively.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view in enlarged scale of a part ofthe apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a manner in which the apparatus of FIG. 9operates between a position where the cassette holder is pushed downwardand another position where it is lifted upward.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate the main parts of a fifth embodiment ofthe invention, with FIG. 12 in a sectional view in an operative positionwhere a pressing member is pressing the center core of the magneticdisc, FIG. 13 in a sectional view in another operative position wherethe pressing member is escaped or disabled by a reaction or a resistantforce from the center core, and FIG. 14 in a sectional view in anotheroperative position where the pressing member has returned to the initialposition.

FIG. 15 shows an alternative structure for the pressing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The conventional apparatus using the disc-shaped record bearing medium(FIG. 1 and FIG. 2):

Prior to the description of a conventional apparatus using thedisc-shaped record bearing medium, a prior known magnetic disc cassettewill be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. In the drawings, 1 is aflexible magnetic disc constituting an example of a disc-shaped recordbearing medium; 2 is a cassette containing the magnetic disc 1 andhaving a housing in the box form as illustrated in the drawing; 3 is acenter core fixedly attached to a central portion of the magnetic disc 1and having an engaging hole 3a; 2a and 2b are apertures provided inportions of the cassette 2 in correspondence to the center core 3; 2c isa window provided in a portion of the cassette 2 so as to allowinsertion of a magnetic head to be described later; and 4 is amagnetizable plate fixedly attached to the lower surface of the centercore 3. The magnetic disc 1 while being contained in the cassette 2 isloaded into a recording and/or reproducing apparatus by, for example,means to be described later, and then recording or reproducing iscarried out in a manner known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates the main parts of the conventional apparatus usingthe disc-shaped record bearing medium in which the cassette, in itsloaded position, is indicated by twodotted and dashed lines. Membersdenoted by the same reference characters as those in FIG. 1 have similarconstructions and functions to those of the members of FIG. 1. As toother members, 6 is an internal chassis of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus; 7 is an electric motor for rotation of the discand is fixedly mounted to the chassis; 8 is a spindle exemplifyingrotating means fixedly mounted on an output shaft 7a of the discrotation motor 7. The aforesaid center core 3 is adapted to be mountedon the spindle 8 at the engaging hole 3a thereof. 10 is a magnetic headexemplifying the recording and/or reproducing head; 11 is a headcarriage. 9 is a magnet fixedly mounted on the upper surface of aflanged portion 8a of the spindle 8. According to the prior art, it isby this magnet 9 and the magnetizable plate 4 of the center core 3 thatthe center core 3 and the spindle 8 are brought into coupling with eachother magnetically. By this method, however, as has been describedabove, it is difficult to assure that the magnetic disc 1 is maintainedin a predetermined mounting surface defined by the flanged portion 8a ofthe spindle 8.

In another prior art example where use is made of a mechanism acting onthe upper surface of the center core 3 and pressing it against thespindle 8, as has been mentioned above, the disc rotating motor 7 iscaused to operate with this mechanism also as a load. The total load ofthe motor 7 is, therefore, increased, which becomes a cause of unevenspeeds of rotation.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5,wherein the same reference characters have been employed to denote partshaving fundamentally similar constructions and functions to those partsin FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore their explanation is omitted. 21 iscassette holder. The magnetic disc cassette 2 after having been insertedinto and seated in the holder 21 is loaded onto a rotative driveportion. For this purpose, the holder 21 is movable between a positionshown in FIG. 3, or a first position for receiving the cassette 2, and aposition downwardly slightly beyond the position of FIG. 4, or a secondposition where the center core 3 of the magnetic disc 1 contained in thereceived cassette 2 is mounted on the spindle 8. It is to be noted herethat though not shown the holder 21 is provided in its interior withmeans having a leaf spring and abutments for determining a rightposition of the received cassette 2 in the interior of the holder 21. 22is a position determining part for the cassette 2, and a plurality ofsuch parts are provided on the chassis 6. These parts may be constructedeither as a unit with, or separate from, the chassis 6. 23 is a pressingarm consistuting an example of pressing means in this invention. Thepressing arm 23 is pivotally mounted at a shaft 24. The shaft 24 isfixedly mounted on an armed portion 34 of another chassis 25 formedeither as a unit with, or in separate from, the chassis 6. 23a is apressing portion at the free end of the pressing arm 23. As illustratedin FIG. 4, when the pressing arm 23 turns in a clockwise direction, thispressing portion 23a pushes the center core 3 with its engaging hole 3ain engagement with the spindle 8. For this purpose, use may be madeeither of two pressing portions 23a having a forked shape arranged toact on respective diametrically opposite points on an annular uppersurface of the center core 3 above and below the plane of FIG. 4respectively, or of a top plate on the upper surface of the center core3 so that the center core 3 is pushed along the entire upper surfacethereof by the pressing portion 23a. 23b is a projected portionextending from the pressing arm 23 upwardly from the plane of FIG. 3 andhaving abutment portions 23b' and 23b".

26 is a lever rotatable about a shaft 27 mounted on the arm 23. 28 is atorsion spring wound around the shaft 27, one end of which is laid onthe lever 26 and the other of which is laid on the abutment portion 23b'of the projected portion 23b of the pressing arm 23. Therefore, thelever 26 is urged by the torsion spring 28 to turn about the shaft 27 ina clockwise direction until its tail 26a abuts on the abutment portion23b" of the projected portion 23b of the pressing arm 23. 29 is a leverwith its tail end portion pivotally mounted on a shaft 30 mounted on anarmed portion 35 of the chassis 25. The position of the lever 29 is sodetermined that when it turns in a clockwise direction, its free endportion 29a abuts on a free end portion 26b of the lever 26. The freeend portion 29a of the lever 29 is formed with another suitable camshape. 31 is a pin planted on the lever 29 and engaging in a slottedportion 21b provided in an extension 21a of the cassette holder 21. 32is a spring urging the pressing arm 23 to turn in a counter-clockwisedirection to an initial position. 33 is a limiting portion for limitingthe counterclockwise returning movement of the pressing arm 23. Thelimiting portion 33 is provided on the chassis 25.

In the above-described construction, when in the condition of FIG. 3,the magnetic disc cassette 2 is inserted into the cassette holder 21.After the magnetic disc cassette 2 has been seated in a correct positionwithin the interior of the holder 21, then the holder 21 is moveddownward or in a direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3. In order todo this, the holder 21 may be operatively connected to the chassis orits cover portion by, for example, a hinge provided on the back-side ofthe device as viewed in FIG. 3 so that the holder 21 is moved downwardmanually or by a mechanism known to those skilled in the art. As theholder 21 moves downward, the pin 31 engaging in the slot 21b of theextension 21a moves in the direction of arrow A, whereby the lever 29 isturned in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 4. Therefore, the free endportion 29a of the lever 29 comes to contact with the free end portion26b of the lever 26 and then pushes the lever 26 in the direction ofarrow E. Since, at this time, the lever 26 is hindered from pivotalmovement by its tail portion 26a resting in the abutment 23b" of theprojected portion 23b of the pressing arm 23, the pressing arm 23 reactsto turn about the shaft 24 in the clockwise direction, whereby its freeend or pressing portion 23a enters the interior of the holder 21 throughan apertured portion 21c thereof and pushes the center core 3 at theupper surface thereof along the spindle 8 against a frictional forceexerted therebetween. Here, in the position shown in FIG. 4, the holder21 does not yet reach its lowermost possible position. Therefore,between the lower surface of the center core 3 and the upper surface orposition determining surface of the flanged portion 8a of the spindle 8lies a gap l, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Upon further downward movementof the holder 21, the lever 29 is further turned in the direction ofarrow D. Therefore, the pressing arm 23 also further turns in theclockwise direction, so that its pressing portion 23 further pushes thecenter core 3 to eliminate the aforesaid gap l. Thus, the magnetic disc1 is positioned correctly at a predetermined location defined by theflanged portion 8a of the spindle 8.

Because the center core 3 is usually made of plastics, the diameter ofits engaging hole 3a largely varies substantially from item to item in asense of fitting on the spindle 8. According to the above-describedconstruction of the apparatus, as the diameter of the engaging hole 3aof the center core 3 is designed to be rather small, the range ofvariation of the diameter has no longer any effect on the accuracy ofpositioning control. Therefore, the present invention is suited to massproduction. This advantage can also be expected in other embodiments ofthe invention to be described hereinafter.

As the cassette holder 21 further moves downward in the direction A, thelever 29 continues to turn in the direction D, finally disengaging itsfree end portion 29a from the free end portion 26b of the lever 26. And,at this time, a bias force in the counterclockwise direction is appliedby the spring 32 on the pressing arm 23. Therefore, when the engagementof the lever 29 and the lever 26 is released, the pressing arm 23immediately turns in the counterclockwise direction, returning to theinitial position defined by the limiting portion 33.

Because the pressing arm 23, lever 26, lever 29 and cassette holder 21may have form tolerances and the pivot shafts 24, 27 and 30 and the pin31 also may have location tolerances, there will be some possibilitythat even when the pushing of the center core 3 along the spindle 8 bythe pressing portion 23a of the pressing arm 23 has ended, theengagement of the free end portion 29a of the lever 29 and the free endportion 26b of the lever 26 will not released, whereby a so-called"wrenching" is caused to occur therebetween. This will lead to interferewith smooth loading operation. On this account, the pressing arm 23 ismade elastic in at least a portion indicated by 23c in FIG. 4 so thatwhen the aforesaid situation is encountered, this portion indicated at23c is bent as illustrated in the drawing, permitting the free endportion 29a of the lever 29 to smoothly run over the free end portion26b of the lever 26. Thus, it is made possible to assure that theengagement of both the levers is released as it moves in the directionD. The use of such elasticity in one portion (23c) of the pressing arm23 has another advantage that as the center core 3 is pushed, even whenthe pressing arm 23 is overpowered, the excessive stroke is absorbed bythis elastic portion 23c to prevent the center core 3, the flangedportion 8a of the spindle 8 and the pressing arm 23, or the operatingmechanism (26-31) therefor from being damaged. This point is valid evenin second and third embodiments of the invention to be described later.

By the counterclockwise movement of the pressing arm 23, its pressingportion 23a leaves from the center core 3 so that when the magnetic disc1 is driven to rotate, its drive source or disc rotating motor 7 isfreed from the surplus load. Also the center core 3 and the spindle 8are tightly coupled with each other by friction. Under such conditions,the magnetic disc 1 rotates while the magnetic head 10 performsrecording or reproducing in a manner known in the art.

When to take out the cassette 2 from the holder 21, the holder 21 islifted in a direction indicated by arrow B by the reversed operation tothe aforesaid operation of moving downward to the direction A. This stepof operation is illustrated in FIG. 5. Such upward movement causes thepin 31 also to be moved upward which in turn causes the lever 29 to turnabout the shaft 30 in a direction F. Though the free end portion 29a ofthe lever 29 contacts again with the free end portion 26b of the lever26, it is in this case that the free end portion 29a of the lever 29comes from the below to abut on the free end portion 26b of the lever26, and therefore that the lever 26 is turned about the shaft 27 in adirection G until the engagement of the free end portion 26b of thelever 26 and the free end portion 29a of the lever 29 is released. Then,the lever 26 is returned by the spring 28 to the initial position shownin FIG. 3. Further, when the holder 21 is raised to the predeterminedposition (aforesaid first position), each member returns to the positionof FIG. 3. In this position, the cassette 2 becomes possible to be takenout from the interior of the holder 21.

A second embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6):

In FIG. 6, though the disc rotating motor and spindle are not shown,these members are similarly constructed and arranged to the aforesaidfirst embodiment. In FIG. 6, 41 is a support member fixedly mounted to aleft hand portion of the cassette holder 21 and movable as a unittherewith; 42 is a lever pivotally supported by a shaft 44 on thesupport member 41; 43 is a spring trained between the support member 41and the lever 42. The lever 42 is urged by the spring 43 to turn aboutthe shaft 44 planted on the support member 41 in a clockwise directionas viewed in the drawing. 21d is an extension formed in a portion of theholder 21 to receive a tail end portion 42a of the lever 42 against thespring 43. 42b is a free end portion of the lever 42 abutting on a camportion 23e provided in the tail end portion 23d of the pressing arm 23.

With such construction, when the cassette holder 21 moves downward or inthe direction A in the drawing similarly to the aforesaid firstembodiment, the lever 42 also moves downward, while its free end portion42b pushing the tail end portion 23d of the pressing arm 23 at itscamming surface 23e. Therefore, the pressing arm 23 turns in a clockwisedirection as viewed in the drawing, while its free end or pressingportion 23a entering past the apertured portion 21c of the holder 21into the interior of the holder 21 and to push the center core 3 infitting engagement on the spindle 8. As the holder 21 further movesdownward, when the free end portion 42b of the lever 42 overruns the camportion 23e the pressing arm 23 finishes the pushing and is turned bythe spring 32 in the counterclockwise direction to the initial position,thereby its free end pressing portion 23a moves away from the centercore 3.

On the other hand, when the holder 21 is raised from its downmostposition to the direction B in the drawing, the free end portion 42b ofthe lever 42 comes from the reversed direction to that described aboveto abut on the cam portion 23e in the tail end portion 23d of thepressing arm 23. Since the spring 43 is weak, it is at this time thatwhile the pressing arm 23 is left stationary, the lever 42 turns in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in the drawing. Then when theholder 21 rises to the predetermined position, the lever 42 returns tothe initial position shown in FIG. 6. By one series of these operations,similarly to the above-described first embodiment, it is made possibleto actuate the pressing arm 23 in response to downward movement of theholder 21 to thereby set the center core 3 on the spindle 8 andthereafter to remove the pressing portion 23a of the pressing arm 23from the depression on the center core 3.

A third embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 7 and 8

In FIGS. 7 and 8, 21e is an extension provided on the left hand sideportion of the cassette holder 21; 51 is a slide lever; and 52 is aspring trained between the extension 21e and a hole 51a of the slidelever 51 so that the slide lever 51 is urged toward the back of thepaper. 53 is a pin fixedly mounted on the left hand side portion of theholder 21 to guide sliding movement of the slide lever 51 in a directionperpendicular to the paper. 54 is a pin planted on the slide lever 51and extending backward from the paper into a groove 55 provided in thesurface of a tail end portion 23f of the pressing arm 23. The groove 55is, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 8, formed in the shape of aletter "D" shape as viewed from the front of the paper with its portionsindicated by "m", "n" and "p" having a constan depth, another portionindicated by "q" having gradually shallower depths as the distance frombelow to above increases, and the top end indicated at "r" beingfollowed by a sudden drop, so that as the holder 21 moves first downwardand then upward, the pin 54 is caused to circulate in the closed groove55, always first to a direction K followed by a direction L.

With such construction, similarly to the above, when the holder 21 movesdownward or in the direction A in the FIG. 7, the pin 54 moves alongportion "m" of the groove 55 in the direction K so that the pressing arm23 turns about the shaft 24 in a clockwise direction as viewed in thedrawings. By the clockwise movement of the pressing arm 23, its free endor pressing portion 23a enters similarly to the above through theapertured portion 21c of the holder 21 into the interior of the holder21 to push the center core 3 along the spindle 8. Upon further downwardmovement of the holder 21 in the direction A, the pin 54 moves along theportion "n" in the direction K, whereby the pressing arm 23 is turned ina counterclockwise direction. Just when the pin 54 arrives at theportion "p", the pressing arm 23 returns to the initial position, sothat its free end or pressing portion 23a moves away from the centercore 3.

On the other hand, when the holder 21 rises in the direction B from itsdownmost position, the pin 54 moves along the groove 55 from the portion"p" to the portion "q" in the direction L. Since, in the portionindicated by "q", the depth of groove 55 becomes shallower, the slidelever 51 slidingly moves toward the front of the paper against thespring 52. When the top end of the groove 55 indicated by "r" isreached, the slide lever 51 moves toward the back of the paper by thespring 52, thus regaining the initial position. During the movement ofthe pin 54 in the direction L, the arm 23 remains stationary. By theprocess through a series of these operations, it is made possiblesimilarly to the aforesaid first and second embodiments to actuate thepressing arm 23 in response to downward movement of the holder 21,whereby the center core 3 is pushed onto the spindle 8, and thereafterto remove the pressing portion 23a of the pressing arm 23 from thecenter core 3.

Here in the first to the third embodiments described above, for example,the following variations are possible

For example in the apparatus of the type in which the cassette holder 21is automatically moved upward and downward by an electric motor as thedrive source, the power of this drive source may be utilized inoperating the pressing arm 23 in such a manner that after the centercore 3 is set on the spindle by the pressing arm 23, the pressing arm 23is returned to the initial position. Also though the foregoingembodiments have been described in connection with such an arrangementof the pressing arm 23 that it is at a time during the loading operationof the magnetic disc cassette 2 that the free end or pressing portion23a of the pressing arm 23 departs from the center core 3, anotherdifferent arrangement may be employed such that it is after the cassetteloading operation has, been completed that the pressing portion 23amoves from the center core 3. For example, in the second embodiment, thecam portion 23e of the pressing arm 23 in FIG. 6 may be otherwise formedto such a shape that the cam lift gradually increases as it goes fromabove to below as viewed in the drawing, and then suddenly decreasesfrom its maximum position. In the third embodiment, the shape of thegroove 55 may be modified from the shape of the letter "D" to a righttriangle facing toward the right as viewed in the drawing.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 to 11,whereby the same reference characters have been employed to denote theparts having fundamentally similar structures and functions to those ofthe parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, and their explanation is omitted.

The pressing arm 23 is here modified with its tail end portion having aslot 23g in which engages the shaft 24 on the chassis 25. Besides itscapability of pivotal movement about the shaft 24, therefore, thepressing arm 23 can also move linearly along the slot 23g in thelongitudinal direction thereof. A spring 63 urges the pressing arm 23 tomove in the direction of arrow R so that the shaft 24 is normall incontact with the left hand side of the slot 23g (FIG. 9). The oppositeend of the spring 63 is fixedly attached to a chassis 64. 61 is a camused instead of the lever 26 in FIGS. 3 to 5 and fixedly mounted on thepressing arm 23. The position of the cam 61 relative to the pressing arm23 can be adjusted by slits cut therein and fastener screws engaging inthe respective slits. Though two pairs of slit and screw are shown, itsnumber is not limitative. With this cam 61 on the pressing arm 23cooperates a lever 29 similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in such amanner that when it turns in a counterclockwise direction direction D inFIG. 10), its free end portion 29a abuts on a camming surface 61a of thecam 61, and when it turns from the below in a clockwise direction(direction F in FIG. 11), its free end portion 29a abuts on anothercamming surface 61b of the cam 61.

The other parts than the above are fundamentally similar in constructionto those of the first embodiment.

With such construction, after the magnetic disc cassette 2 has beeninserted into and seated in the holder 21, when the holder 21 is moveddownward or in the direction A in FIG. 9, as the holder 21 movesdownward, the pin 31 engaging in the slotted portion 21b of itsextension 21a moves in the direction A whereby the lever 29 is turned inthe direction D in FIG. 9. Therefore, the free end portion 29a of thelever 29 abuts on the camming surface 61a of the cam 61. And since thecam 61 is fixed to the pressing arm 23, the pressing arm 23 then turnsabout the shaft 24 in the clockwise direction. Thereby its free end orpressing portion 23a advances past the apertured portion 21c of theholder 21 into the interior of the holder 21 to push the center core 3along the spindle 8. This operative position is illustrated in FIG. 10.It is to be noted that in the position of FIG. 10, the pushing of thecenter core 3 is not yet finished. Therefore, a gap l is left betweenthe lower surface of the center core 3 and the upper surface of theflanged portion 8a of the spindle 8. Then, upon further downwardmovement of the holder 21 in the direction.A, the lever 29 further turnsin the direction D which also causes the pressing arm 23 to further turnin the clockwise direction while further pushing the center core 3,finally bringing the lower surface of the center core 3 into abuttingcontact with the upper surface of the flanged portion 8a of the spindle8 with the removal of the aforesaid gap l.

Even when the holder 21 further moves downward from this position, thepressing arm 23 can no longer turn in the clockwise direction, but thelever 29 is allowed to further turn in the direction D. Therefore, thepressing arm 23 is moved to the left along the slot 23g of its tail endportion against the spring 63 by the leftward directional forcecomponent of the pressure on the free end portion 29a of the lever 29 inreaction to the camming surface 61a of the cam 61. As a result, the freeend portion 29a of the lever 29 moves away from the cam 61. Thereby thepressing arm 23 is turned in the counterclockwise direction by the biasforce of the spring 32, returning to the initial position defined by thestopper member 33.

By the way, because of the form tolerances of the pressing arm 23, thefree end portion 29a of the lever 29 and the cassette holder 21 and thelocation tolerances of the pivot shafts 24 and 30 and the pin 31, itwill often happen that the pressure of the free end or pressing portion23a of the pressing arm 23 on the center core 3 becomes excessive, orthat even when the setting of the center core 3 has finished, the freeend portion 29a of the lever 29 does not yet move away from the cammingsurface 61a of the cam 61. If so, a so-called "wrenching" will resulttherebetween, and a smooth loading operation is hindered from beingperformed. On this account, in the foregoing first to third embodimentsof the invention, such drawback has been eliminated by giving elasticityto a portion (23c) of the pressing arm 23. In this fourth embodiment, onthe other hand, the pressing arm 23 is provided with the longitudinallyelongated slot 23g at the tail end portion thereof, and it is at thisslot 23g that the shaft 24 is made to cooperate in engagement therewith,so that when the resistant force (reaction) from the center core 3 tothe pressing arm 23 exceeds a certain limit, the pressing arm 23 iscaused to move to the left against the bias force of the direction R bythe spring 63. Therefore, the free end portion 29a of the lever 29smoothly departs from the camming surface 61a of the cam 61, and thepressing arm 23 immediately turns in the counterclockwise direction tothe initial position. This enables the apparatus to be loaded with themagnetic disc 1 smoothly and safely.

When it is desired to remove the cassette 2 from the holder 21, thereverse operation to that in which the holder 21 was moved downward inthe direction A is carried out, so that the holder 21 moves upward inthe direction B in FIG. 11. Such upward movement causes the pin 31 to bealso moved upward. Therefore the lever 29 is turned about the shaft 30in the direction F. Its free end portion 29a is brought, at this time,from below as viewed in the drawing into abutting contact with thecamming surface 61b of the cam 61. In this case, too, the pressing arm23 moves to the left against the bias force of the spring 63. Therefore,the free end portion 29a of the lever 29 smoothly departs from thecamming surface 61b of the cam 61, returning to the initial position ofFIG. 9. In this position, the cassette 2 can be taken out of of theholder 21.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention shown FIGS. 12 to 14 employsa toggle or snap spring mechanism responsive to excess of the resistantforce (reaction) from the center core to the pressing member above acertain limit for allowing the pressing member to escape in a differentdirection from the pressing direction.

In FIGS. 12 to 14, the pressing member comprises a base portion 71 and amovable portion 72 which is pivotally mounted at a shaft 73 planted onthe base portion 71. 2a is a free end or pressing portion of the movableportion 72 performing the function of pushing the center core 3 similarto the free end or pressing portion 23a of the pressing arm 23 in FIGS.3 to 11. 74 is a toggle or snap spring of which one end is fixed to asupport portion 75 provided on the base portion 71 and the opposite endof which is fixed to an extension 76 provided on the movable portion 72.77 is a position limit pin for the movable portion 72 and is planted onthe base portion 71. 78 is a pin planted on the base portion 71 andengaging in a slot 21b of the extension 21a of the cassette holder 21.36 is a limit portion for the movable portion 72 provided in the chassis25. Of the other parts, those denoted by the same reference charactersas in the foregoing drawings have similar constructions and functions tothose previously illustrated, and the cassette holder 21, motor 7,spindle 8 and magnetic head 10 though not shown here are similarlyconstructed and arranged as in the above.

With such construction, when the holder 21 is moved downward in thedirection A from the position of FIG. 14, the pin 78 planted on the baseportion 71 moves downward, wherby the base portion 71 and the movableportion 72 are turned about the shaft 24 in a clockwise direction, whilesimultaneously the free end pressing portion 72a of the movable portion72 pushes the center core 3 along the spindle 8. Here, if the resistantforce (reaction) from the center core 3 is below a certain limit, thetoggle or snap spring 74 is in a first stable position, maintaining themovable portion 72 in a relative position shown in FIG. 12 to the baseportion 71. As the base portion 7 and movable portion 72 further turn tofinish the setting of the center core 3 on the spindle 8, when theresistant force from the center core 3 then exceeds that certain limit,the toggle or snap spring 74 transits to a second stable position asillustrated in FIG. 13, whereby the movable portion 72 is turnedrelative to the base portion 71 in the direction H in the drawing, thusescaping to a different direction to the pressing direction. Therefore,the free end or pressing portion 72a leaves the center core 3. Thisenables achievement of a stable loading operation.

On the other hand, the cassette holder 21 is moved from the downmostposition in the direction B for the purpose of taking out the cassette2. As the pin 78 moves upward, the base portion 71 is caused to turn ina counterclockwise direction. At a point during this counterclockwisemovement of the base portion 71, the movable portion 72 abuts on thelimiting portion 36. After that, the movable portion 72 turns relativeto the base portion 71 in the reversed direction to the direction H.And, at a time during this rotative movement of the movable portion 72,the toggle or snap spring 74 transits to the aforesaid first stableposition. Thus, the movable portion 72 returns to the relative positionshown in FIGS. 12 and 14 to the base portion 71. Then when the holder 21reaches the predetermined position, the initial condition shown in FIG.14 is regained.

Incidentally, instead of the aforesaid toggle or snap spring mechanism,a click mechanism may be used to effect an equivalent result.

It is obvious that none of the first to the fifth embodiments describedabove is incompatible with the simultaneous use of coupling means basedon the magnetic force in the center core 3 and the flanged portion 8a ofthe spindle as in the prior art, and the first to the fifth embodimentsare applicable to the conventional apparatus described in connectionwith FIGS. 1 and 2 without any alternation.

As has been described in greater detail above, according to the presentinvention, by a simple mechanism it is made possible to set the recordbearing medium on the rotating drive portion accurately and to assurethat the record bearing medium is always well aligned to the recordingand/or reproducing head. Particularly because the center core of therecord bearing medium is usually made of plastics, for easy fitting onthe rotating drive, the tolerance of its inner diameter is large. Theuse of the above-described mechanism provides the possibility ofdesigning its inner diameter to be rather smaller so that the toleranceon the inner diameter of the center core has a far lesser influence onthe accuracy and reliability of location control as the pressing memberworks when the record bearing medium is loaded. This feature is alsosuited to mass production.

Also since the operation of that mechanism is controlled in such amanner that the aforesaid pressing member is first actuated to bring therecord bearing medium into fitting engagement with the rotating drivemeans and thereafter this pressing member is removed from the recordbearing medium, during recording or reproduction the pressing membernever adds any load on the rotating means, thereby providing theadvantage of reducing the size of the rotating means.

Also in particular, as illustrated in the first to the thirdembodiments, the pressing member is formed with elasticity in a portionthereof, or as illustrated in the fourth and fifth embodiments, thepressing member is so constructed and so arranged that when theresistant force (reaction) from the record bearing medium acting on thepressing member exceeds a certain limit, the pressing, member moves in adifferent direction from the pressing direction, whereby safe and smoothloading operation can always be realized despite form tolerances andlocation tolerances of the pressing member or of those members whichconstitute the operating mechanism therefor.

What we claim:
 1. A disc clamp apparatus arranged to handle a dischaving an engaging portion and including a recording or reproducinghead, said disc being flexible and said engaging portion being a rigidpart arranged at a central portion of said disc, said apparatuscomprising:(A) rotating means for rotating said disc, said rotatingmeans having an engageable portion engageable with said engaging portionof the disc, said rotating means being mounted to said disc clampapparatus: (B) holder means for holding the disc, said holder meansincluding means movably supported with respect to said disc clampapparatus and movable between a first position for receiving and holdingthe disc, said first position being a position at which said head andsaid disc are relatively spaced apart from each other, and a secondposition for positioning the received disc at an opposing position tosaid head through a third position between said first position and saidsecond position and just before said second position, said opposingposition being a position at which said head and said disc arerelatively closer to each other, and said second position enablingrecording and/or reproducing by said head on said disc; (C) pressingmeans for pressing said engaging portion of the disc against saidengageable portion of the rotating means to engage said engaging portionand said engagable portion; and (D) control means for controllingoperation of said pressing means in accordance with the movement of saidholder means from said first position to said second position, saidcontrol means causing said pressing means to operate in response to themovement of said holder means from said first position to said thirdposition to press the engaging portion of said disc to the engageableportion of said rotating means for engagement, and releasing thepressing action of said pressing means on said disc in response to themovement of said holder means from said third position to said secondposition.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said controlmeans includes:a first member operatively connected with said holdermeans and movable in response to the movement of the holder means; and asecond member operatively connected with said pressing means andengageable with said first member, said first and second members beingarranged to operate the pressing means through the engagementtherebetween when the holder means is moved from said first position tosaid third position.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein saidfirst and second members are arranged so that the engagementtherebetween is released when said holder means is moved from said thirdposition to said second position.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3,wherein one of said first and second members includes a cam member andthe other includes an engaging member engageable with said cam member.5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one of said first andsecond members includes a cam member and the other includes an engagingmember engageable with said cam member.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said control means includes a cam member arranged tooperate said pressing means in response to the movement of said holdermeans toward said second position and disable the pressing means whenthe holder means has reached said third position.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said pressing means has elasticity in atleast a portion thereof.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid control means is arranged to disable said pressing means when aresistant force exerted on the pressing means has reached apredetermined value.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidcontrol means includes:a first member operatively connected with saidholder means and movable in response to the movement of the holdermeans; a second member operatively connected with said pressing meansand engageable with said first member; and a third member for retainingthe engagement of said first and second members, said third memberreleasing retention of said engagement when the resistant force exertedon the pressing means has reached said predetermined value, said firstand second members being arranged to operate the pressing means throughthe engagement therebetween when the holder means is moved from saidfirst to said third position.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9,wherein one of said first and second members includes a cam member andthe other includes an engaging member engageable with said cam member.11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control meansincludes:a movable member operatively connected with said holder meansand movable in response to the movement of the holder means, saidmovably member movable supporting said pressing means; and a bi-stablemember provided between said movable member and the pressing means, saidbi-stable member having a first stable state for retaining the pressingmeans at an operative position on the movable member and a second stablestate for retaining the pressing means at an inoperative position on themovable member, and being shiftable from said first to said secondstable state when the resistant force exerted on the pressing means hasreached said pre-determined value, said pressing means operating inresponse to the movement of the movable member corresponding to themovement of the holder means from said first to said second positionwhen the pressing means is retained at said operative position by thebi-stable member.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein saidcontrol means further includes:a reset member for resetting saidbi-stable member from said second to said first stable state during themovement of said movable member corresponding to the movement of saidholder means from said second to said first position.
 13. A disc playerarranged to handle a flexible disc housed in a cassette and having acenter core attached at a central portion thereof and provided with anengaging hole, and having recording and/or reproducing head means forrecording signals on and/or reproducing recorded signals from said disc,said player comprising:(A) a spindle engageable with said engaging holeof the center core of the disc, said spindle having a flange portion forreceiving thereon said center core; (B) a cassette holder includingmeans movably supporting said cassette holder at a portion thereof withrespect to said player and positionable at a first position forreceiving therein said cassette, said first position being a position atwhich said head and said disc are relatively apart from each other, anda second position for placing the received cassette at a predeterminedposition, said pre-determined position being a position at which saidhead and said disc are reltively closer to each other, and said secondposition enabling recording and/or reproducing by said head on saiddisc; (C) a pressure member for pressing said center core of the discagainst said flange portion of the spindle; and (D) an operation memberfor operating said pressure member as said cassette holder is shiftedfrom said first position to said second position, and for ceasing saidoperation of said pressure member shortly before the second position,said operation member being connected to move with said holder.
 14. Theplayer according to claim 13, wherein said operation mechanism includescam means arranged to once operate said pressure member as said cassetteholder is shifted from said first position to said third position. 15.The player according to claim 14 wherein said pressure member haselasticity in at least a portion thereof.
 16. The player according toclaim 13, wherein said operation member is arranged to disable saidpressure member when a resistant force exerted on the pressure memberhas reached a predetermined value.
 17. The player according to claim 16,wherein said operation member includes:a movable member operativelyconnected with said cassette holder and movable in response to theshifting of the cassette holder, said movable member movably supportingsaid pressure member; and a bi-stable member provided between saidmovable member and the pressure member, said bi-stable member having afirst stable state for retaining the pressure member at an operativeposition on the movable member and a second stable state for retainingthe pressure member at an inoperative position on the movable member andbeing shiftable from said first to said second stable state when theresistant force exerted on the pressure member reached saidpredetermined value, said pressure member operating in response to themovement of the movable member responding to the shifting of thecassette holder from said first to said second position when thepressure member is retained at said operative position by the bi-stablemember.
 18. The player according to claim 17, wherein said operationmember further includes:a reset member for resetting said bi-stablemember from said second to said first stable state during the movementof said movable member responding to the shifting of said cassetteholder from said second to said first position.
 19. A magnet disc playerfor recording signals on and/or reproducing recorded signals from aflexible magnetic disc housed in a cassette and having a center coreattached at a central portion thereof and provided with an engaginghole, said cassette having a window for exposing a portion of said disc,said player comprising:(A) a magnetic head for recording signals onand/or reproducing recorded signals from the disc; (B) a spindleengageable with said engaging hole of the center core of the disc, saidspindle having a flange portion for receiving thereon said center core;(C) a cassette holder including means whereby said cassette holder ismovably supported by the player and positionable at a first position forreceiving therein said cassette, and a second position for placing thereceived cassette at a loaded position to cause the disc within thereceived cassette to gain access to said head through said window of thecassette; (D) a pressure member for pressing said center core of thedisc against said flange portion of the spindle; and (E) operation meansfor once operating said pressure member as said cassette holder isshifted from said first position to said second position and for ceasingsaid operation of said pressure member as said cassette holder isshifted at a position shortly before the second position.
 20. The playeraccording to claim 19, wherein said operation mechanism includes cammeans arranged to once operate said pressure member as said cassetteholder is shifted from said first position to said second position. 21.The player according to claim 20, wherein said pressure member haselasticity in at least a portion thereof
 22. The player according toclaim 19, wherein said operation mechanism is arranged to disable saidpressure member when a resistant force exerted on the pressure memberhas reached a predetermined value.
 23. The player according to claim 22,wherein said operation mechanism includes:a movable member operativelyconnected with said cassette holder and movable in response to theshifting of the cassette holder, said movable member movably supportingsaid pressure member; and a bi-stable member provided between saidmovable member and the pressure member, said bi-stable member having afirst stable state for retaining the pressure member at an operativeposition on the movable member and a second stable state for retainingthe pressure member at an inoperative position on the movable member andbeing shiftable from said first to said second stable state when theresistant force exerted on the pressure member reached saidpredetermined value, said pressure member operating in response to themovement of the movable member responding to the shifting of thecassette holder from said first to said second position when thepressure member is retained at said operative position by the bi-stablemember.
 24. The player according to claim 23, wherein said operationmechanism further includes:a reset member for resetting said bi-stablemember from said second to said first stable state during the movementof said movable member responding to the shifting of said cassetteholder from said second to said first position.
 25. An apparatusarranged to handle a disc having an engaging portion, said apparatuscomprising:(A) rotating means for rotating said disc, said rotatingmeans having an engageable portion engageable with said engaging portionof the disc, said rotating means being mounted to said apparatus, (B)holder means for holding the disc, said holder means including meansmovably supporting said holder means at a portion thereof with respectto said apparatus and movable from a first position to a second positionfor engaging said engaging portion of the received disc with saidrotating means, said second position being a position at which said discis relatively closer to said engageable portion, and said first positionbeing a position at which said disc is relatively apart from saidengageable portion; (C) pressing means for pressing said engagingportion of the disc against said rotating means; (D) operating means foroperating said pressing means as said holder means is moved from saidfirst position to said second position, said operating means having apart connected to said holder means and a part acting upon said pressingmeans, said operating means being connected to said holder means so asto move with the movement of said holder means; and (E) disabling meansfor disabling said pressure means when a resistant force exerted on thepressing means has reached a predetermined value.
 26. The apparatusaccording to claim 25, wherein said disabling means includes a snapmember for changing said pressing means from its operative to itsinoperative condition when the resistant force exerted on the pressingmeans has reached said predetermined value said snap member includign asnap spring provided between said operation means and said pressingmeans.
 27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said snap memberincludes a snap spring provided between said operation means and saidpressing means.
 28. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein saidsnap member includes a snap spring provided between said operation meansand said pressing means.
 29. A magnetic disc player for recordingsignals on and/or reproducing recorded signals from a flexible magneticdisc housed in a cassette and having a center core attached at a centralportion thereof and provided with an engaging hole, said cassette havinga window for exposing a portion of said disc, said player comprising:(A)a magnetic head for recording signals on and/or reproducing recordedsignals from the disc; (B) a spindle engageable with said engaging holeof the center core of the disc, said spindle having a flange portion forreceiving thereon said center core; (C) a cassette holder for holdingsaid cassette, said cassette holder being movably supported at a portionof the player and movable from a first position to a second position forcausing said disc within the held cassette to gain access to said headthrough said window of the cassette; (D) a pressure member for pressingsaid center core of the disc against said flange portion of the spindle;(E) an operation member for operating said pressure member when saidcassette holder is shifted from said first position to said secondposition, said operation member having a part connected to said holderand a part acting upon said pressure member; and (F) a change-overmember for changing over said pressure member from an operativecondition to an inoperative condition when a resistant force exerted onthe pressure member has reached a predetermined value.
 30. The playeraccording to claim 29, wherein said change-over member includes a snapspring provided between said operation member and said pressure member.31. The player according to claim 29, wherein said change-over memberincludes a clip stopper provided between said operation member and saidpressure member.
 32. An apparatus arranged to handle a flexible dischaving a center core which is attached at a central portion of the discand is provided with an engaging hole, said apparatus comprising:(A) aspindle engageable with said engaging hole of the center core of thedisc, said spindle having a flange portion for receiving thereon saidcenter core, said spindle being provided as a rotating shaft rotatablewith respect to said apparatus; (B) presser means for pressing saidcenter core of the disc against said flange portion of the spindle, saidpresser means having at least a pair of pressing portions, at a portionthereof opposite to said center core of the disc, arranged to act onrespective almost diametrically opposite portions on an annular surfaceof the center core, said presser means being movable with respect tosaid apparatus; and (C) operation means for causing said presser meansto press the center core of the disc through said pressing portions,said operating means shifting in association with the position of saiddisc relative to said disc, increasing the pressing by said pressermeans as said disc approaches said spindle, said separating said pressermeans from said center core when said disc is completely engaged withsaid spindle.
 33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein saidpressing portions of said pressing means are fork-shaped and saidoperation mechanism is arranged to cause said presser means to press thecenter core and thereafter release said pressing.
 34. The apparatusaccording to claim 32, further comprising:a holder for holding saiddisc, said holder being movable for placing the received disc between apredetermined position relatively near said spindle and the receivedposition relatively far from said spindle, said operation means beingoperatively associated with said holder and causing said presser meansto press the center core of the disc and thereafter release saidpressing in response to movement of the holder for placing the disc at aposition at which said spindle and said disc are combined.
 35. Theapparatus according to claim 34, wherein said operation means isarranged to cause said presser means to press the center core of thedisc and thereafter release said pressing in response to movement of theholder for placing the disc at a position at which said spindle and saiddisc are combined.
 36. A disc loading apparatus using a disc having anengaging portion arranged at a central portion thereof, said apparatuscomprising:(A) rotating means for rotating the disc, said rotating meanshaving an engageable member engageable with the engaging portion of thedisc, (B) holding means for holding the disc, said holding means beingmovable between a disc receiving position for receiving the disc and adisc loading position wherein the engaging portion of the disc isengageable with said engageable member of said rotating means; (C)pressing means for pressing the engaging portion of the disc againstsaid engageable portion of said rotating means so as to engage theengaging portion and said engageable portion; and (D) control means forcontrolling operation of said holding means and said pressing means,said control means being arranged so as to move said holding means fromsaid disc receiving position to said disc loading position and so as tooperate said pressing means to press the engaging portion of the discinto engagement with said engageable portion of said rotating means,under the action of its movement from a first position to secondposition in a predetermined direction, and being arranged so as torelease the pressing operation of said pressing means at a thirdposition immediately before it has reached said second position in themovement from said first position in said predetermined direction. 37.An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said disc holding meansincludes a disc holder member for holding the disc.
 38. An apparatusaccording to claim 37, wherein said control means includes a firstmember movable in association with said holding means and a secondmember attached to said pressing means and engageable with said firstmember, said first and second members being arranged to operate saidpressing means in association with the operation of said holding meansby mutual engagement thereof.
 39. An apparatus according to claim 38,wherein said first and second members are arranged to be disengaged fromeach other when said control means is moved from said third position tosaid second position in said predetermined direction, whereby thepressing operation of said pressing means is released.
 40. An apparatusaccording to claim 39, wherein said pressing means is resilientlyenergized by means of a spring in a direction away from the engagingportion of the disc.
 41. An apparatus according to claim 40, whereinsaid pressing means is arranged so as to press said engaging memberagainst the action of said spring and so as to be separated from saidengaging member under the action of said spring when said first memberand said second member are disengaged from each other.
 42. An apparatusaccording to claim 39, wherein one of said first and second membersincludes a cam member and the other includes an engaging memberengageable with said cam member.
 43. An apparatus according to claim 36,wherein said pressing means has elasticity in at least a portionthereof.
 44. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said controlmeans is arranged to disable said pressing means when a resistant forceexerted on the pressing means has reached a predetermined value.
 45. Adisc loading apparatus using a disc having an engaging portion arrangedat a central portion thereof, said apparatus comprising:(A) rotatingmeans for rotating the disc, said rotating means having an engageablemember engageable with the engaging portion of the disc, (B) disccarrying means arranged to carry said disc from an unloaded positionwhere the disc is apart from said rotating means to a loaded positionwhere the disc can be mounted onto said rotating means; (C) pressingmeans for pressing the engaging portion of the disc against saidengageable portion of said rotating means so as to engage the engagingportion and said engageable portion; and (D) control means forcontrolling said disc carrying means to carry the disc from saidunloaded position to said loaded position, said control means beingarranged so as to operate said disc carrying means under the action ofits movement from a first position toward a second position in onepredetermined direction and to operate said pressing means to press theengaging portion of the disc into engagement with said engageable memberof said rotating means and succeedingly release the pressing operation,under the action of its movement from a third position immediatelybefore said second position in said predetermined direction to saidsecond position in said predetermined direction.
 46. An apparatusaccording to claim 45, wherein the disc is a magnetic flexible disc. 47.An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said disc carrying means hasa disc holder member for holding the disc.
 48. An apparatus according toclaim 47, wherein said control means includes a first member movable inassociation with said carrying means and a second member attached tosaid pressing means and engageable with said first member, said firstand second members being arranged to operate said pressing means inassociation with the operation of said carrying means by mutualengagement thereof.
 49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein saidfirst and second members are arranged to be disengageable from eachother when said control means is moved from said third position to saidsecond position in said predetermined direction, whereby the pressingoperation of said pressing means is released.
 50. An apparatus accordingto claim 49, wherein said pressing means is resiliently energized bymeans of a spring in a direction away from the engaging portion of thedisc.
 51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said pressingmeans is arranged so as to press said engaging member against the actionof said spring and so as to be separated from said engaging member underthe action of said spring when said first member and said second memberare disengaged from each other.
 52. An apparatus according to claim 49,wherein one of said first and second members includes a cam member andthe other includes an engaging member engageable with said cam member.53. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said pressing means haselasticity in at least a portion thereof.
 54. An apparatus according toclaim 45, wherein said control means is arranged to disable saidpressing means when a resistant force exerted on the pressing means hasreached a predetermined value.
 55. A disc loading apparatus for a dischaving a centrally located engaging member, comprising:(A) rotatingmeans for rotating the disc, said rotating means having a spindleengageable with the engaging member of the disc; (B) pressing meansmovable between an operable position, for pressing the engaging memberof the disc against said spindle of said rotating means so as to bringthe former into engagement with the latter, and an inoperable positionin which it is separated from said engaging member; and (C) controlmeans for controlling said pressing means according to an operation ofthe disc being mounted on said spindle of said rotating means, saidcontrol means moving from a first position to a second position in onedirection not beyond said second position in response to the operationof said disc being mounted on said spindle of said rotating means, andmoving said pressing means to said operable position from saidinoperable position to press said engaging member to said spindle andsucceedingly releasing the pressing operation of said pressing means andseparating from said engaging member.
 56. An apparatus according toclaim 55, wherein said pressing means is energized by means of a springin a direction away from the engaging portion of the disc.
 57. Anapparatus according to claim 56, wherein said pressing means is arrangedso as to press said engaging member against the action of said springand so as to be separated from said engaging member under the action ofsaid spring when said first member and said second member are disengagedfrom each other.
 58. An apparatus according to claim 55, and furthercomprising:a holder member movable between a disc receiving positionwhere said holder member receives the disc and a disc loading positionwhere said holder member loads the disc on said rotating means, saidholder member being connected to and cooperating with said controlmeans, and being arranged to move from said disc receiving position tosaid disc loading position where said disc is mounted to said spindle soas to move said control means from said first position to said secondposition in response to a movement of said holder member.
 59. Arecording or reproducing apparatus using a flexible disc having anengaging portion at a central portion of said disc, comprising:(a)rotating means for rotating said disc and having an engageable portionengageable with said engaging portion of said disc; (b) carrying meansfor holding said disc and carrying said disc from a first postiion forreceiving said disc to a second position for recording on or reproducingfrom said disc; and (c) pressing means, in response to the movement ofsaid carrying means for carrying said disc from said first position tosaid second position in one direction from said first position towardsaid second position, for pressing said engaging portion of said discagainst said engageable portion of the rotating means so as to engagesaid engaging portion to said engageable portion and releasing thepressing action against said engaging portion.
 60. An apparatusaccording to claim 59, wherein said pressing means has an elasticproperty at its portion for pressing the engaging portion, therebyresiliently pressing the disc against the spindle.
 61. An apparatusaccording to claim 60, wherein said pressing means is arranged to applypressing forces onto the engaging portion at both sides of said spindleuniformly at least at right and left sides thereof.
 62. A disc loadingapparatus for loading a disc having a hub at its center, comprising:(a)rotating means for rotating the disc, said rotating means having aspindle arranged to hold the disc by engagement thereof with the hub ofthe disc; (b) loading means movable between a first position where thedisc is separated from said rotating means and a second position wherethe disc is loaded on said spindle of said rotating means, said loadingmeans moving from the first position to the second position in onedirection without moving beyond the second position to mount the disc onthe spindle; and (c) pressing means, in response to the movement of saidloading means from the first position to the second position in the onedirection, for pressing the center hub of the disc against the spindleso as to engage the center hub to the spindle and then release thepressing of the center hub to separate from the center hub.
 63. Anapparatus according to claim 62, wherein said loading means includes aholder member for holding and carrying the disc, said pressing meansbeing operated in response to the movement of said holder member forcarrying the disc from said unloaded position toward said loadedposition in the one direction.